Method of and apparatus for forming a 3D article

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for forming a 3D-shaped article, such as a die or mold, utilizing an electroforming process in which a metal layer is electroformed on an electroforming mold and removed therefrom to form the desired article. The removal is facilitated by mirror-finishing anodizing the shaped electroforming mold and thereafter anodizing to form an oxide film thereon. The electroforming apparatus utilizes a worktank having a first and a second region separated by a partition. The partition has a plurality of apertures which provide communication between the first region with the second region, the latter having an anodic electrode and a source of the electroforming metal. The electroforming mold supported by a shank is introduced into the first region and reciprocated longitudinally of the axis of the shank with a stroke not less than the dimension of the electroforming surface of the mold in the direction of that axis. Alternatively or in addition, oscillations may be imparted to the electroforming mold and/or the mold may be rotated. An NC-controlled integral system for producing a desired 3D-article consistently from an electroforming blank material incorporates a tool storage station, an automatic tool changer and an NC unit for rough-machining the electroforming mold in the blank and finish-machining the rough-shaped blank to yield the electroforming mold which is then transferred automatically under NC commands sequentially to the mirror-finishing, anodizing and electroforming stations sequentially.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.